Liberty Debate Team ranks No. 1 in the country

Liberty has earned the top spot in national rankings from debate’s three governing organizations: the Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA), National Debate Tournament (NDT) and the American Debate Association (ADA). This marks the third consecutive and fifth time overall that Liberty University has swept the sweepstakes rankings. Liberty remains the only school to win all three championships in a single season in the history of collegiate debate. Liberty Debate has earned 28 national rankings championships since 1995.

“We’re most proud of the fact that our students year in and year out are able to compete with students from any other school in America, and I think it speaks well of what Liberty is doing and the commitment the school has made to academic excellence,” said Michael Hall, Director of Liberty Debate.

The team traveled across the country this season, from California to New York, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee, to debate immigration issues, specifically U.S. visa policy, including issues with temporary guest workers in high-tech industries as well as healthcare workers and victims of human trafficking.

Liberty students, faculty and staff, as well as the greater Lynchburg community will have a chance to see Liberty’s Debate Team in action as it presents a public debate at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 29, at Towns-Alumni Lecture Hall. The topic is: “Should the United States Abandon Nuclear Power?” There will be a question and comment period following the debate.

The Liberty University Debate Team competes at the highest levels of intercollegiate policy debate and recruits debaters of all experience levels. For more information, visit www.liberty.edu/debate or contact Director of Debate Michael Hall, (434) 582-2080.

CEDA Final Rankings

1. Liberty University
2. Northwestern University
3. Emory University
4. Cornell University
5. Binghamton University
6. University of Kansas
7. University of Oklahoma
8. University of Mary Washington
9. Harvard University
10. West Virginia University

NDT Final Rankings

1. Liberty University
2. Northwestern University
3. Emory University
4. University of Oklahoma
5. Cornell University
6. Binghamton University
7. Harvard University
8. University of Kansas
9. U.S. Military Academy
10. George Mason University

ADA Final Rankings

1. Liberty University
2. George Mason University
3. James Madison University
4. University of Mary Washington
5. Vanderbilt University
6. Wayne State University
7. John Carroll University
8. Wake Forest University
9. Samford University
10. Clarion University